Hi Meadow Lesson 3

If you're in the field, and your division supervisor hands you a list of supplies to request, and if, on that list, is "batteries", what you'll get are AA alkalines.

For better or for worse, that's what everyone else uses; not NiCd's, not NiMH's, nor gel cells, but AA Alkalines. Their shelf life and abundance make the the first choice for those in emergency service.

Considering this, it certainly behooves us to be able to interoperate with such power as is available; if you can carry enough gel cells to last you through a shift, then, by all means, do so. Just realize that, if that power runs out, you're on your own, until you can recharge 'em.

Radio Shack has some 8 cell battery holders; solder on some wire, going to an ARES standard two-pin molex connector (or an Anderson Powerpole). Then another cable terminated at one end with the mating molex (or Powerpole) connector, and at the other end with whatever power plug is appropriate for your radio; most likely it'll be some kind of a coaxial-type plug.

This will give you a 12V external power source which can be resupplied. It is something of a pain to carry around all this stuff, but the 12V (13.8 more likely at full charge) will enable the radio to develop its full power output.

I hear tales that alkaline batteries can be recharged; I'm investigating this, and will report results when I have them.